This is the first volume in the noted pianist Murray McLachlan's series devoted to music by Russian composers. His prolific discography has received long-standing international recognition and includes more than 30 commercial recordings, including the complete sonatas of Beethoven and Prokofiev and many rarities.

This new series of Russian piano music from Divine Art's American branch will feature pianists from many countries; first off is Scotsman Murray McLachlan, renowned soloist, with 20th century music from Shostakovich (the Piano Sonatas nos 1 and 2), and pieces by his friends and mentors Kabalevsky, Myaskovsky, Shchedrin, and Ronald Stevenson, English but whose work here is inspired by Shostakovich. The next four volumes will be by Anthony Goldstone, another British virtuoso, with music by Rebikov (vol. 2 January), Glière (volume 3 February), Lyapunov (volume 4 March) and Arensky (volume 5 April). Much of this music which is all of the most brilliant nature is very rare and little heard

"The plan, program, conception, and execution of this album, Shostakovich and his Comrades, played with extravagant magnificence by pianist Murray McLachlan, are brilliant. Only listeners who are turned off to hardcore Socialist Realism expressed through super-virtuoso, ultra-violent piano music are likely to dislike itMcLachlan never lets up and never lets go until the works are thoroughly drained. The sound here is a bit dry and a tad recessed, but fans of this repertoire will likely love this disc." - All Music Guide